Developing a Training Plan Part II: Effort - Page 2

Identifying EffortWe’re all guilty … of focusing too much on what we enjoy and/or what we’re good at, while neglecting our weaknesses or the things that just aren’t fun. As trail runners, we often skimp on speed training in exchange for logging miles and exploring beautiful places. If you are training to race, performing a variety of workouts at different effort levels is vital for efficiency across all energy systems utilized during a race. Your training plan should include training-pace runs, long runs, thresholds, hill repeats and intervals, all to capitalize on aerobic (endurance) and anaerobic (speed) efficiency.

Base BuildingWhen I begin working with new runners, I focus the first couple of training weeks on simply logging miles (creating a base) to lay down a foundation of aerobic potential. The phase is comprised of training runs performed at an effort level called “conversation pace.” Conversation pace is the bread and butter of long-distance training. It strengthens your cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal systems—all of which are essential for strong and healthy running.

When you are preparing for a race, though, anaerobic fitness is also crucial. Anaerobic efficiency is best achieved by incorporating speed sessions into your training. Consistent speed work increases your body’s ability to carry oxygen to your brain and muscles more efficiently when under-fire, like when you’re trying to shake off a challenging competitor come race day.

3-2-1 Drill (Fartleck)Trail races include undulating terrain that forces you to run through different heart rate zones. The more you can simulate running within those zones in training, the better your body will respond to them during a race. For fun speed days, I often assign clients my 3-2-1 Drill. I love this fartleck workout because it focuses on running fast within a longer run, allowing you to reap both aerobic and anaerobic benefits. The sequence of running hard, easy, hard, easy, etc. teaches your body to fluctuate efficiently between high and moderately high heart rate zones.

The workout:

-15- to 30-minute warm up

-Repeat the following circuit three times, completing “hard” segments first at half-marathon pace, then 10K pace and then 5K pace.

3 minutes hard

2 minutes training pace (recovery)

2 minutes hard

1 minute training pace (recovery)

1 minute hard

30 seconds training pace (recovery)

30 seconds hard

30 seconds training pace (recovery)

-15- to 30-minute cool down

(Note: If you are training for a marathon distance and above, add a 5-minute hard segment to the front end of the 3-2-1.)